Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness and mechanical properties of MWCNT-reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites

In this work, the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) and mechanical properties of MWCNT-reinforced polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites were investigated with varying MWCNT content from 1 to 10 wt%. Electric resistance was tested using a 4-point-probe electric resistivity tester. The EMI SE of the nanocomposites was evaluated by means of the reflection and adsorption methods. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were studied through the critical stress intensity factor (K _IC) measurement. The morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). From the results, it was found that the EMI SE was enhanced with increasing MWCNT content, which played a key factor to determine the EMI SE. The K _IC value was increased with increasing MWCNT content, whereas the value decreased above 5 wt% MWCNT content. This was probably considered that the MWCNT entangled with each other in PP due to an excess of MWCNT.